Life lessons we can learn from Disney

A special thing about Disney movies is that people of any age can enjoy and learn from them. For children, the animated films provide a form of entertainment while also subconsciously teaching them important life lessons. As for adults, Disney movies can still appeal to them because of the serious themes and inspiring messages tackled within the stories. If you can’t remember the underlying messages from Disney films off the top of your head, you’re in luck! Here’s a list of some meaningful life lessons we can learn from Disney.

Toy Story – You can never set your goals too high.

Surprisingly, these little plastic toys teach us a very inspiring message. Some of Buzz and Woody’s famous catchphrases include “To infinity and beyond!” and “Reach for the sky!”, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for dreaming big and taking on challenging goals. These quotes are a great reminder for us to pursue the dreams in our hearts, no matter how big they are.

Tangled – Step out of your comfort zone. 

At first, Rapunzel was scared to leave her tower after hearing Mother Gothel’s crazy stories about the real world. When she finally escaped, she was able to see the beauty beyond the tower and actually experience life. Leaving the tower was the best decision she made in the movie, because it opened up so many new doors for her. Rapunzel’s story teaches us that although it may seem scary, adventuring out of your comfort zone may lead to great new experiences for you.

Finding Nemo – No matter how difficult life gets, just keep swimming. 

“When life gets you down, do you wanna know what you’ve gotta do? Just keep swimming!” This encouraging quote from Dory is an iconic part of the movie. It sends a powerful message that we should persist and push through the obstacles that we face in life. This film teaches us that we will all face struggles at some point in our lives, and when we do, we just have to keep swimming and come out stronger on the other end. 

Peter Pan – Growing up is inevitable.

In this movie, Neverland is a magical place where no one will ever age. Despite the amount of fun that Wendy, John, and Michael have at Neverland, they knew they had to go back and face the reality of growing up. This film acknowledges the bittersweet feeling of knowing that you’re never going to be a kid again someday. When that happens, we must learn to face the real world like an adult. This means becoming more responsible and independent when it comes to school, work, or life in general.

The Lion King – Don’t be someone who worries all the time.

In this film, Timon and Pumbaa hold onto a “Hakuna Matata” philosophy, which teaches Simba to relax and not worry too much about life. In their famous, upbeat song, they sing, “It means no worries for the rest of your days.” In the real world, this means that you don’t have to worry about things that don’t matter, such as a little school assignment or quiz. 

Frozen – Embrace who you truly are.

At the start of the movie, Elsa hid from the world, pretending to be someone that she was not. As a result, she became an outcast. But, when she breaks into her magnificent solo of “Let it Go,” she embraces her uniqueness and shows her true self to the world. Elsa’s journey shows us that sometimes, there is a part of us that we don’t embrace because we want to fit in. However, trying to be like others will cause us to lose the essence of who we really are. Instead, we should accept our true selves and stop trying to fit in. When you realize that the best version of you is your true self, and not someone else, you automatically become a more beautiful person, just like how Elsa did.

Up – It’s never too late for adventure.

In a very moving scene, Carl flips through Ellie’s adventure book and finds a message from her saying, “Thanks for the adventure. Now go have a new one.” This film reminds us that as long as we are still breathing, life holds the opportunity for countless adventures, some of which are occurring right before our eyes. No matter how old you are, you can still go out and have the adventure of a lifetime.

Not only are Disney movies very enjoyable and interesting to watch, they are also immensely profound in their messages. Next time you watch a Disney film, try to ask yourself: What can you learn from this movie? How can it change your life?